Chapter one

Two days ago Your sister got a bit naughty and unintentionally did something that will get us into trouble with the bratva." I bit my tongue to stop myself from saying something that'll get me into trouble with my father. This wasn't supposed to be my business, they've always kept me out of the family mafia business. I didn't want to get involved in it. "But the bratva is nothing compared to Alexander Hawthorne, the leader of the familia and the man Aria is supposed to be at the altar with on Saturday." Supposed? I've heard that my twin sister's getting married to Alexander Hawthorne, I've never met the man. I've only heard he's deadly and sadistic enough to hang his enemies on spikes but Aria probably doesn't know that or had chosen to ignore it. I wasn't even invited to the wedding, I was working at the local library when the family's chaffeur appeared out of nowhere and told me father had summoned me. "We can't afford a feud with him." I looked around the house.

Chapter two

I wish I’d run and hidden in the library toilet the moment I saw our massive chauffeur approaching. If I had, I wouldn't be doomed to the fate I have to accept in a few short hours. I stood in my bathroom, staring at a box of hair dye that reeked of chemicals and ammonia. Outside the window, the elderly couple I’d come to see as my true parents were seated on their porch, waiting for the sun to rise. It was their morning ritual; sometimes I waited with them, sharing the peace of the dawn. That quiet life would never be mine again. Staying away from them was the only way to keep them safe from the shadow now falling over me. They noticed me and motioned for me to come over. When I tried to lift my legs, they felt like lead. Tears tracked down my cheeks. How was I supposed to tell them that in a few hours, I’d be someone else? That they’d never be allowed to see me again? No. I’d rather leave like a ghost and hope they remembered to take their medications on time. I turned to

Chapter three

Chapter three I found a seat a bit far from the guests and sat down. when I saw a waitress passing with drinks I quickly motioned her over and took two glasses off her tray. I think it's better to be drunk on a day like this. I hadn't even taken a sip when I noticed most of the guests were murmuring and staring at me. I placed the glass on the table and folded my hands under my breasts. what now? two women walked past me hand -in-hand snickering, others were just stealing glances at me. I stood up and walked to my mother who was standing in the midst of some middle aged women. What's happening mom?" She took in a deep breath. "nothing to worry about, go seat down." "I won't. not untill I know what's going on." "fine!," she screamed, looking irritated. "Your husband of barely an hour is having sex with the ambassador's daughter as we speak. Are you that plain? your husband has to go running to another woman barely and hour after you got married?" They was a roar of laughter

Chapter four

Alexander’s grip was rough as he dragged me from the hall. I tried to cover myself with the tattered remnants of my gown, but it was useless. He hauled me into the limousine, the engine roaring like a caged beast, and we sped off before I could catch my breath. By the time we arrived at the Hawthorne estate, my chest was tight. The imposing walls and turrets screamed old money and lethal power. Inside, the white walls gleamed, lined with rare antiques and portraits that seemed to stare right through me. I tried to focus on the art, my usual escape when reality became too loud. This time beauty couldn't mask the fear underneath. He threw open the door to a guest room. It was small. Sterile. Smaller than my own apartment. A pang of disappointment hit me. Even the servants in my father’s mansion had rooms larger than this. “This isn’t your father’s mansion,” he said, his voice a calm. He didn't even look at me as he read my thoughts. “You’re nothing but a slave here.” The

Chapter five

The next morning, a sharp tug pried my heavy eyes open. I looked up to see two girls in servant uniforms glaring at me. The sight triggered haunted childhood memories I had tried so hard to forget. "Wake up and take a bath, Princess. You stink," one of them said, her voice like ice. "Shut up, Rose. The boss says we should attend to her needs," the other one said calmly, laying fresh clothes on the bed. "Attend to the needs of a traitor who trapped the cook's daughter in a nightmare for life?" Rose spat, her eyes full of rage. "Rachel's stuck in a psychiatric ward because of this venomous witch, Marie!" The words hit me like a physical blow. What had Aria done? I knew Marie’s calm demeanor was supposed to be a comfort, but she made me even more uneasy than the loud, angry Rose. "He said to attend to her needs," Rose stated. She climbed onto the bed and yanked the covering off my body, leaving me bare and exposed. "He didn't say we couldn't have a little fun while doing it. A

Chapter Six

The cook left the room after we spent almost an hour in silence. Alone, I still didn't feel relieved. The house was filled with people who had every reason to hate the woman they all think I am.Aria had always gotten away with everything, even our parents made sure of that. She didn't face any consequences and had never regretted an action.Being her twin sister had always been torture, people who knew I was her twin back in high school often tried to hurt me to get back to her. She had never cared though, sometimes when she finds out I'm being bullied in her stead, she joins in on the fun as she calls it.But they should be places and times where even the most ruthless villains draw the line, like betraying a man like Alexander Hawkthorne.The more I thought about all I could likely face in the hands of this man, the weaker I got.It's barely forty eight hours and I was almost losing all the fight in me, was I even going to survive this?The question lingered on my mind as I drifted